Bits of News from the Political Front

Bruce Hyer Responds to Jim Fould’s Article on the Long Gun Registration in the January issue of Thunder Bay Seniors Paper

Jim Foulds, one of the finest MPP’s to ever represent Thunder Bay North and a good friend, made a persuasive argument in favour of the “long gun” registry in his January column.

While we share the same objectives, we have different opinions on how best to get there.

Jim and I agree wholeheartedly that violence against women and children is a grave issue that urgently requires more attention and resources. Domestic violence is an awful and persistent social TRAGEDY with heavy costs not only for women and children, but for all of us. I am proud to work with my New Democrat caucus colleagues, as Jim has done throughout his remarkable career, to fight for strengthened services for women including a national housing strategy, access to education, training and job opportunities, improvements to the minimum wage, adequate support for transition houses, a national child care program, a fair electoral system that will see more women elected to public office, a meaningful anti-poverty strategy, improved access to health care and medicines, and women’s reproductive choice. Our progress on these issues is too slow, but we are making progress.

Where our views diverge is with respect to the effectiveness of the registration of hunting rifles and shotguns as an instrument in reducing all-too-common incidents of domestic assault and murder.

The registration of non-restricted rifles and shotguns is essentially a redundant system and one that, in my opinion, does not add any protections to those provided by the stringent regime already in place under the Possession and Acquisition Licensing (PAL) program, a program that will remain in place regardless of the future of the registry.

Under the terms of the PAL program, in order to acquire, possess, store, lend, borrow, or transport any firearm, an owner must be subjected to extensive Canada-wide police background checks. Applicants must divulge sensitive personal information, and are screened to detect potential public safety risks. Continuous eligibility screening is conducted over the term of the license to identify any public safety risks that may arise over time. One must also pass a rigorous firearms safety course (and it’s a tough test!).

Licenses are refused or revoked for a number of reasons, including: a history of violence, mental illness, potential risk to oneself or others, unsafe firearm use and storage, drug offences, or providing false information.

Through that process, police know who every legal firearms owner is, and where they are.

Violence against women is a complex and pernicious problem, requiring a multi-faceted response. However, I don’t believe the long gun registry is an effective contribution to that effort.

Surely our energy and resources ought to be spent keeping guns out of the hands of the violent, rather than asking them to register the weapons they might possess.

I should add that my views on the long gun registry have been consistent over many years. I have stood for office three times, each time making my opposition to the registry clear. I made a promise that if elected I would vote to end the long gun registry, and I have kept my word.

Bruce Hyer, MP Thunder Bay – Superior North

The Federal Conservatives Cut 60 Million from the Arts

The Federal Conservatives cut 60 million dollars from funding to arts and culture groups this year. This probably isn’t a big deal for most of us. I mean, what’s more important creating jobs or creating art. That is the comparison the Conservatives want us to make. Jobs or Arts.

Therein lays the problem. It should never be an either/or situation. Art plays a very important role in a healthy society and we risk a great deal by not understanding this.

History shows that civilizations that are successful and at the top of their game have a thriving arts and cultural community. The arts are like the canary in the mine. So I would suggest that investing in the arts community makes sense. More practically speaking, a thriving arts and cultural community is an indication that the government is strong and not afraid of criticism. The arts community is very often critical of government and the establishment, rightly or wrongly. The arts community often holds up a mirror to the establishment pointing out the follies. A strong society values this and is able to laugh at its self or in more serious cases attempt to make the changes needed to correct problems.

There is an ideology that would have us believe that each person will survive, succeed or excel on their own merit and that government should not interfere in that process. While at some level we all would like to believe this, it just doesn’t work very well.

Being a dancer, writer, painter, doesn’t pay very well. I don’t know any artists who don’t have to work at other jobs in order to support their passion. In fact, I would venture to say that in the majority of cases pursuing one’s love of art leads most often to a life of being economically strapped. Not a life most of us would put up with. So when an artist gets a Canada Council for the Arts grant that allows her or him to focus on their work they feel like they have died and gone to heaven. Now they can focus! Now they can dedicate time to their first love! Not many will produce masterpieces but that’s not what it is all about. For me it’s about valuing the importance art and artists play in a healthy society.

I support tax dollars going to Canadian artists. In the big picture of where tax dollars are spent it’s not very much at all. If as a society we start to make cuts here I fear that it could mean we are on a slippery slope.

 

Tim Commisso: New City of Thunder Bay, City Manager

August 18, 2008 – City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Commisso as City Manager for the Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay, effective Sept. 29.

“We are pleased to welcome Tim back to Thunder Bay where he started his extensive municipal career,” said Mayor Lynn Peterson. “He brings a proven track record of strategic leadership to apply to the opportunities at the City of Thunder Bay.”

Mr. Commisso, who holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and a professional accounting designation, began his municipal career with the City of Thunder Bay in the ‘80s. He started at the Canada Games Complex with responsibility for customer service and finances. Following that, he was the Manager of Budgets and Planning before leaving for Burlington.

Mr. Commisso has been with the City of Burlington since 1988. He brings to his new position a diverse leadership background developed during his extensive career in municipal government. At the City of Burlington, Mr. Commisso held a number of senior positions including General Manager of Community Services, General Manager of Development and Infrastructure, Director of Parks and Recreation and Manager of Financial Planning Services & Deputy Treasurer. He had lead responsibility for a number of major projects including the waterfront project from 2003 to 2007 as well as downtown revitalization strategies and corporate strategic plans.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be given the opportunity and privilege of being the new

City Manager for Thunder Bay,” said Mr. Commisso. “My family and I are excited to be returning home and I look forward to working with the Mayor and Council and leading a great staff team. Thunder Bay is a wonderful community and I look forward to meeting and working with as many people as possible to address the important strategic initiatives and issues affecting the City.”

The appointment concludes an extensive candidate search and a rigorous selection process.

June Issue

Mauro Announces Tax Cuts For Seniors; Health Care Boost
I am very pleased to highlight progressive initiatives in our recent provincial budget that will substantially assist our senior citizens in Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
The Province proposes a new property tax grant for eligible seniors who own their own homes. In 2009, about 550,000 senior homeowners would be able to obtain a new grant of up to $250. The maximum grant would be increased to $500 for 2010 and subsequent years. This is in addition to the $125 increase in our first term that saw grants rise from $500 to $625. When combined with existing property and sales tax credit to seniors, some seniors could see up to $1,075 in total tax relief next year; and up to $1,325 in 2010.
From the fiscal year 2004-2005 and up to and including 2007-2008 the Ontario government has funded the following number of additional procedures in Thunder Bay area hospitals:
• Hip and Knee Replacements: 249
• Cataract Surgeries: 3,401
• Cancer Surgeries: 374
• Cardiac Procedures: 1,996
• MRI Exams: 24,822
• CT Scans: 8,026
Extra funding has meant there have been 38,868 additional medical procedures in the Thunder Bay area.
Finally, I am very pleased that in response to two private member’s bills I introduced, Prostate Specific Antigen testing will now be covered through OHIP starting on January 1, 2009. This blood test that can cost in excess of $30 can help detect the signs of prostate cancer in men.
These are just some of the examples of how the Ontario government is working for seniors by cutting taxes and upgrading health care services.
Bill Mauro, MPP (Thunder Bay-Atikokan)
Parliamentary Assistant
To the Minister of Natural Resources

MAURO DETAILS HOW ONTARIO TAX CREDITS AID SENIORS
As you prepare to submit your income tax forms by the April 30th deadline you should be aware of the different tax relief benefits seniors can apply for in Ontario. Ontario provides property and sales tax relief for eligible individuals through the Ontario property and sales tax credits. The refundable property tax credit provides property tax assistance for people with low to moderate incomes who own or rent a principle residence in Ontario. The Ontario government has boosted the property tax credit by 25 per cent increasing it from $500 to $625.
Similarly, the refundable sales tax credit provides sales tax assistance for people in low and moderate income levels as well. Ontario refundable tax credits can be received even if you pay no income tax. Ontario tax credits can be claimed on Form ON479, Ontario Credits, which is included with the federal income tax and benefit package.
Subject to age and net income criteria, the combined maximum amount of property and sales tax credits you can receive for any one taxation year is $1,125.
Furthermore, the 2007 minimum level of income guaranteed by the Ontario and federal governments for eligible senior couples is rising because of increases to Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments. This year, the Ontario government is increasing the 2007 income threshold for senior couples so that those receiving the minimum level of income from governments will continue to receive the full benefit of the credits.
Below I have outlined some of the measures in Ontario’s 2007 Budget, which contained significant supports for seniors, to help improve their financial security and independence:
LOCKED-IN ACCOUNTS
The government introduced a new life income fund (LIF) that could increase income for seniors in retirement and permit up to 25 per cent of the funds to be unlocked. The new LIF, and other modifications to the rules governing locked-in accounts, gives seniors who hold locked-in retirement savings transferred from employment pension plans increased flexibility in managing their retirement income.
The new LIF will replace all existing LIFs and locked-in retirement income funds (LRIFs). This gives seniors more flexibility by eliminating mandatory annuity purchase requirements and introducing:
• The right to an optional one-time unlocking of up to 25 per cent of locked-in funds no earlier than the early-retirement date under the pension plan from which the money was transferred (in most cases, this is age 55)
• An amended annual payment schedule that will increase retirement income and permit withdrawal of the entire remaining account balance when the LIF holder reaches age 90
• The opportunity to withdraw additional income based on investment returns in the previous year.
Additional changes allow direct transfers of unlocked small amounts to non-locked-in accounts and unlocking for non-residents of Canada. The changes have also introduced consistent rules for the waiver of spousal entitlements to locked-in funds.
PENSION INCOME SPLITTING
Starting with this 2007 taxation year, couples will be allowed to split certain types of pension income for Ontario income tax purposes. This recognizes the special challenges of planning and managing retirement income, and assists pensioners by providing a significant benefit to many couples with pensions.
Allowing individuals to split their pension income with a spouse or common-law partner for tax purposes will provide Ontario income tax savings of about $170 million to Ontario couples with eligible pension income in 2007.
If you have questions about any of the above programs or initiatives please contact my office at 240 South Syndicate Avenue (623-9237) or bmauro.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
Bill Mauro, MPP (Thunder Bay-Atikokan)
Parliamentary Assistant
To the Minister of Natural Resources

Workers finally have new law to protect their wages
December 14, 2007
OTTAWA – Canadian workers have finally won new legal protection for their wages and their pension contributions when their employer goes bankrupt. Bill C-12, a series of amendments to existing insolvency and wage protection laws, was approved by the Senate last night and received Royal Assent today. This was accomplished after an intensive three-year campaign by the Canadian Labour Congress and its affiliated unions to change bankruptcy laws that unfairly put workers last in line to get paid.
Working men and women lost an average of $50 million a year in unpaid wages when companies went bankrupt while waiting for two years to receive only 15 cents on the dollar.
“Finally, workers no longer have to fear the prospect of lost earnings owed to them while dealing with the blow of the loss of their jobs. It took three years of hard work to convince parliamentarians to put individual working Canadians ahead of banks and other financial institutions” says Ken Georgetti, President of the Canadian Labour Congress.
Yesterday’s victory marks the end of a long and determined campaign by the labour movement to change bankruptcy laws which too often saw employees suffer the loss of wages, benefits and even their pension savings because banks and other creditors were given priority. The Act also provides for protection of unpaid pension contributions.
The Act also protects workers’ collective agreements from unilateral changes by bankruptcy judges. In far too many cases in the past, Judges have significantly reduced wages, benefits and other provisions in collective agreements. With this new legislation, changes can only be made with the agreement of the union, an important protection.

“Canadians have been waiting a long time for these protection measures. It is not just unionized workers that will benefit but every working woman and man in Canada – whether they are in a union or not – that will have this protection as soon as the government proclaims the Act,” says Georgetti.
The Canadian Labour Congress, the national voice of the labour movement, represents 3.2 million Canadian workers. The CLC brings together Canada’s national and international unions along with the provincial and territorial federations of labour and 136 district labour councils. www.canadianlabour.ca